Adventures in Middle-earth Player's Guide

In Adventures in Middle-earth™ the greatest fantasy setting of all time comes to the world's favourite roleplaying game rules! Take your gaming group to Middle-earth with this thematic and atmospheric, OGL-compatible setting guide.

Smaug has been defeated, the Battle of Five Armies has been won, and Bilbo has returned to the Shire. But much danger still remains, and from the Orc-holds of the mountains to the dark and corrupt depths of Mirkwood a darkness waits, recovering its strength, laying its plans, and slowly extending its shadow…

In Dale, King Bard sends out a call for brave adventurers to journey to Laketown and assist him in restoring the glory of the North.

Adventurers come from all the Free Peoples of Wilderland and beyond, all heeding the call to adventure. Spurred on by diverse callings – whether it be the lure of the road, the hunger for ancient lore, or the simple urge to defend hearth and kin, adventurers from across Wilderland are preparing to explore Middle-earth and to battle the rising threat of The Shadow wherever it may be found.

The Player's Guide gives you the Middle-earth setting-specific rules and guidance to create your characters and adventure in the world of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings using the OGL 5e ruleset.

Character creation features Cultures and Classes designed for Middle-earth to help you get deep into the setting from the very start of your adventures. New rules add excitement to your journeys and encounters, and chart the corruption of the Shadow in the unwary or unwise.

The Quest begins with this lavishly illustrated, hardcover Adventures in Middle-earth Player’s Guide, followed by the equally beautiful and useful Adventures in Middle-earth Loremaster’s Guide. You can start playing right away with this Player’s Guide, and the latest edition of the world’s most popular roleplaying game rules.

From what i understand it is based on D&D does the book have all the information that needed in order to play or i need D&D rule book as well ?

I am really new
I got TOR it is the only RPG i own and i never played a single game as i cant find people to play with

Luke WApril 12, 2017 6:21 pm UTC

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You need a D&D players handbook or you can use the free basic rules here: http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/basicrules

Michael OApril 13, 2017 5:15 pm UTC

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AIME use TOR dice or just regular dice?

Luke WApril 13, 2017 7:27 pm UTC

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The full range of D&D dice, so your TOR d6 and d12 are useable.

November 24, 2017 6:32 pm UTC

Will I only need to read the player's basic rules document, or both Player's and DM's before reading the AIME player's guide?

James JFebruary 05, 2017 8:30 pm UTC

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Bought this upon first release. however when I try ad get the update and maps, I am getting an error "file is damaged" No similar error for the character sheet.

Chad KFebruary 03, 2017 7:06 pm UTC

Any adventures or other books planned besides the Loremaster book?

Luke WFebruary 03, 2017 7:50 pm UTC

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A full line following the TOR releases is planned, starting with Tales From Wilderland which contains 6 adventures.

Hyper LJanuary 02, 2017 6:22 pm UTC

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Is there a way to buy the hardcopy and get the PDF with it? or are these always separate purchases?

Luke WJanuary 02, 2017 6:58 pm UTC

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Buy from C7 direct or buy from a retail store that is part of the Bits and Mortar program (details on C7's website).

Fred CDecember 26, 2016 10:54 am UTC

Do forgive my question, but has Cubicle 7 announced a release date yet for the print version? My group and I discussed it and we would really like to play this, but we like to have at least one hard-copy version on-hand as opposed to only having soft-copies (Never know when something might happen...say a Coronal Mass Ejection or a Zombie Apocalypse...). I'd like to get both the print and pdf versions at the same time in order to get a discount (If one is offered that is...).

As someone who has bought hard & soft copies of Cubicle 7's products over the years, including almost all of "The One Ring," I'm very happy with the quality and attention to detail that Cubicle 7 puts into their products. I've especially enjoyed "The One Ring" and would like to see how Cubicle 7 has transferred the setting into 5E.

Peace.

~ Nadrakas

Luke WDecember 26, 2016 6:12 pm UTC

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The print version of the PG is available and has been for almost a month via direct sales. I would expect it to have hit retail by now too. There won't be a POD version available here though, if that's what you are asking.

Fred CDecember 31, 2016 4:47 pm UTC

Thank you for the answer...this is exactly what I wanted to know. I'll check with my local B&M to see if she can get it (I like to support her, as she provides rooms for people to game in, and is responsive to her customers. If she can't get it then I'll order it direct...).

Thanks again!
http://www.rpgnow.com/#

~ Nadrakas

Jullian MNovember 02, 2016 6:25 pm UTC

Can I easily convert this book to 3.5? If not, what source would you guys recommend for running a Middle-earth D&D 3.5 campaign? Thanks guys.

Luke WNovember 02, 2016 6:45 pm UTC

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As easily as you could any other 5e book, which is really something only you can answer.

If your concern is having to buy new books, I note that AIME is almost self contained as written. So, it can be run with just the Basic D&D rules for 5e available for free here: http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/basicrules. You may want to try that, given that 3e and 5e are very similar in terms of play style and rules, and allow yourself to avoid any need for conversion all together.

Andres GOctober 01, 2016 11:36 pm UTC

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I purchased the PDF and I downloaded it but its not showing up in my Library. I see it under my Orders but not in the Library with everything else I bought.

Jennifer SOctober 29, 2016 2:24 pm UTC

Maybe try deleting your browsers cache and go back in?

Thomas BSeptember 20, 2016 12:46 pm UTC

So how exactly is the magic worked out mechanically in this roleplay? I mean yes by the standards of most fantasy roleplay today Middle Earth would be low magic in the eyes of many/most, but even a basic understanding of how it is handled here would be nice to know.

Luke WSeptember 20, 2016 6:16 pm UTC

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There is no D&D spell casting. Instead, magic is obtained by way of certain Cultural Virtues (think Culture based Feats) and to a lesser extent through Class abilities (especially the Scholar).

These effects tend to be low level effects, though quite potent in the right situation. The resource they require (if any) is explained in the specific effect.

For example, Hobbit's have a nigh unnatural ability to remain hidden, Woodmen can heal by song, Elves can wrap their arrows in flickering flame or put someone to sleep, Dwarves can open and lock doors and speak to ravens, and Scholars can command the subject of the lore they study.

Luke WSeptember 20, 2016 6:18 pm UTC

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If you want to bring in flashier magic, it's a simply thing to add D&D classes in full or as a multiclass (such as an archetype choice for Scholar)

Thomas BSeptember 21, 2016 3:58 pm UTC

So if I wanted to let's say play a Scholar that was also skilled in storytelling and using illusionary magic to enhace such stories..., I'd have to pair it up with a Bard perhaps?

Luke WSeptember 21, 2016 6:15 pm UTC

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Magic is specific and rare especially amongst the human Cultures. Illusory magic isn't a part of the Scholar Class abilities (which are focussed on healing and lore).

To achieve what you want you could play a Bard, multiclass into a Bard (possible as alternate to the Scholar archetypes to keep the spell casting light), or take the Feat in D&D that lets you take cantrips (Minor Illusion should do it).

Luke WSeptember 21, 2016 9:35 pm UTC

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Another option would be take a Warden (which is the closest to a 5e Bard) and the Magician Background (or just use Deception or Sleight of and Skills). The PC wouldn't be capable of magic per se, but they would be able to inspire through tales and songs, and they would have an air of magic about them. Perhaps add a few fireworks and coloured smoke-rings into the bargain.

Thomas BSeptember 24, 2016 2:19 am UTC

What of a Warden with these Cultural Virtues mentioned, would that make a difference to give the class a little spellcasting?

Luke WSeptember 24, 2016 3:11 am UTC

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Spellcasting? No. There is no spellcasting in AiME as said, unless you choose to bring it in through 5e or in rare Cultural cases. The Warden would allow you to be a great storyteller, to which you could lend an air of magic to via other means as noted.

The only Class to really get any abilities that might be classified as magic is the Scholar, and they are more applications of scholarly lore. Knowing the names of things and being able to speak (and even command) those things. For example, knowing about nature and the elements allows the Scholar to summon forth a small amount of flame, like we see Gandalf do in the Hobbit's Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire. But even that is a level 18 Class ability IIRC

Luke WSeptember 24, 2016 3:12 am UTC

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And in terms of the "magical" Cultural Virtues that do exist, none include illusory magic.

Thomas BSeptember 24, 2016 5:34 pm UTC

Hmm, I see. It's kind of funny how much Lord of the Rings has inspired or influenced so roleplaying and fantasy games, yet itself is a low magic setting.

Luke WSeptember 24, 2016 7:02 pm UTC

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Funny yet refreshing :) AiME is fully compatible with D&D5e, so if you want D&D spellcasting in it, just add the D&D class you want and you are done. Sounds like you are looking for a D&D Bard in Middle-Earth, so with AiME and the PHB you have everything you need.

Cameron MSeptember 29, 2016 5:40 am UTC

Tolkien's world has always been a high-magic fantasy world setting, but by the end of the Third Age it has become low-magic in terms of actual spellcasting, if that makes any sense. Mechanically it will work fine if the usual Spellcasting Classes are added, as this is still D&D 5E. However in doing it will likely ruin the atmosphere, as this is Middle-Earth and not Forgotten Realms. Cubicle 7 really know how to portray Middle-Earth!

Andrew BNovember 20, 2016 7:32 pm UTC

Seems like you're trying to add something that's really not in the flavor of Middle Earth. As mentioned, ME is a high-magic world; it's just that nobody really remembers how to do magic so The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place during a low-magic era in the history of this high-magic world. In the Lord of the Rings movies, Gandalf only uses magic per se once or twice per movie and he's a Wizard. If anybody should be slinging spells all over the place, it's a Wizard.

Magic in D&D is drastically different from magic in Middle Earth. In D&D, magic isn't something that's just there for anyone who knows how to see it. In Middle Earth, magic is all over the place but nobody (for the most part) really remembers what to do with it unless it's packaged in a tidy Ring of Invisibility or Dagger of Glowing Blue When Orcs are Nearby. In Middle Earth, all Frodo has to do is say "Earendil Calima!" and the little bottle of starlight shines like the sun. He doesn't need to have any knowledge...See more of magic; he just figures that Elves are magic so their words are too. And he's right. In D&D, knowing the words isn't enough; you need to understand how magic works in order to use it.

So while it's probably very easy to just plop a 5e Warlock or a 5e Wizard into Middle Earth using this rules supplement, it wouldn't make any sense because "spellcasting" just isn't a thing there.

Jan HSeptember 16, 2016 8:32 am UTC

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Very nice product! I like it a lot.
Just ... I would really really appreciate to have a chance to play also "bad guys" ... orcs, haradrim, skurut-hai, men from highlands and other servants of The Eye or White hand.
In the same time period try to help the Dark Lord Sauron to rise in power, conquer Mordor, to help Saruman to gather info and find The Ring or get some power over the Rohan. And so on.
Is there ... any chance ... that authors would prepare books/culters/classes/... for this part of Middle-Earth lore, too?
Please ;)

Clemens SSeptember 16, 2016 11:55 am UTC

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If you like the Middle Earth bad guys, have you had a look at the novel "The Last Ringbearer" by Kirill Eskov? Enough material in there to run an alternate campaign...

Jan HSeptember 16, 2016 12:26 pm UTC

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Thx. You know, I have enough material to run alternative campaign ... well, I also had enough material from novels to run "good guys" campaign before :)
And then this product came and I am happy.
I understand that probably there are not so many players looking for "the dark side" campaigns in ME, just wanted to let the authors know that there is at least one ...

Weldon GSeptember 20, 2016 2:50 am UTC

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This right here! I never even thought about that!!!!

September 20, 2016 4:39 am UTC

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so, weldon, when do we start playing?

Marco CSeptember 15, 2016 5:27 pm UTC

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version 2?

Luke WSeptember 16, 2016 12:30 am UTC

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A bunch of typos and rules errors were caught on the C7 forums and were corrected in the PDF.

Julian SSeptember 16, 2016 1:01 pm UTC

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These corrections are not likely to have made it into the print version in time, are they?

September 16, 2016 5:32 pm UTC

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Over on the C7 forum it was implied that many of the errors and corrections were included before they actually sent to print.

Luke WSeptember 18, 2016 12:49 am UTC

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It wasn't just implied, C7 confirmed it. :)

Brian LSeptember 19, 2016 8:34 pm UTC

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Unfortunately C7 did not correct the error of using awful cover art.

Luke WSeptember 19, 2016 8:39 pm UTC

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Ha. You could chalk it up to art being subjective and giving John Howe a little credit for his contributions to Middle-Earth art :)

Brian LSeptember 19, 2016 9:05 pm UTC

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I like most of Howe's Tolkien work, this one feels forced. It would be fine if angry Gandalf was removed from the illustration.

Jeffrey TSeptember 21, 2016 3:08 pm UTC

Will a future print run of the book fix the typos? Or would we not see those until a second edition was released?

Luke WSeptember 21, 2016 6:10 pm UTC

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The updated version 2 PDF included a bunch of such corrections and they made it into the print version. Further ones will likely be made to the PDF and future printings as per normal.

If you identify any typos, write them over at C7's forum so they can pick them up.

LI JEN LSeptember 10, 2016 4:38 pm UTC

Question: Do You Need the DnD 5th Edition Player's Handbook to play this, or is it self contained with the D20 System included in its pages? :)

Luke WSeptember 10, 2016 7:20 pm UTC

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Its not self contained. But you can run AiME with Basic D&D which is free from Wizards website. You can also get by with the SRD, though that is less user friendly.

You can also port over lots of things from the three core D&D books if you want to.

September 08, 2016 2:49 pm UTC

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This isn't really a review, so I'm putting it here...

I really love The One Ring and D&D 5e, but this really could have used someone incredibly familiar with 5e to proof it. I have only done a preliminary quick read through, but have found numerous instances where (especially with class features) a bit more detail or clarification is needed to prevent discussion/disagreements in the future. These issues will be easy to fix with an updated PDF, FAQ, or Errata, but I fear its too late to fix before being sent to print.

Ah well. That said, I can't wait to get this on the table.

September 08, 2016 3:47 pm UTC

Can you give examples, this would be helpful to understand the magnitude of the problem, and it provide useful feedback for the makers. Thanks

September 08, 2016 3:52 pm UTC

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I could, but I was worried about displaying content from the book in a comment section. Didn't want to break any rules.

Luke WSeptember 09, 2016 8:10 pm UTC

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C7 are collecting errata and typos of this nature over on their forum. If you have specific issues, get them in before the book goes to print.

September 12, 2016 5:15 pm UTC

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Thanks for the heads up. I added the few things I found that hadn't already been addressed in there.

dani DSeptember 08, 2016 2:31 pm UTC

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when will can buy the loremaster book? Anyway, there will be monsters in Loremaster book?

I downloaded mine just a bit ago and it was the full book. I've only just scratched the surface but I want to congratulate you fellows at C7, this is a gorgeous book and I eagerly await my physical copy. Keep up the good work!

Saul MSeptember 02, 2016 4:02 am UTC

This looks like a amazing book. I own the One Ring books and PDF's and they are the most beautiful rpg books I own, and I own a lot of RPGs! The One Ring is not for everyone and I don't seen it played in many local cons I attend but this might just might be Cubicle 7's best seller. 5th edition is a great set of rules and this addition to those rules should be well received.

Dan AAugust 31, 2016 5:11 pm UTC

Is this a licensed product?

Travis CAugust 31, 2016 5:22 pm UTC

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Yes. Cubicle 7 announced it as such quite a while back. They're the same publisher who has "The One Ring" RPG. They also sell licensed RPGs for the "Lone Wolf" gamebook series, the "Laundry Files" series of books, and the "Doctor Who" TV show, so they're quite familiar with licensing.

Erik FSeptember 03, 2016 11:49 am UTC

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I'll add that for my money, C7 is one of the most consistently excellent RPG publishers out there. They do a great job finding the right tone and feel for each game, and they usually give me some good ideas how to do the same. I'm not completely convinced that 5E is the system I'd pick for a Middle-Earth game, but I'm willing to look. If nothing else, some of the rules stuff looks like it might make a good add-on for other 5E games.

The delivery of the pdf was very fast (even during the weekend). The pdf looks gorgeous and it contains all the useful information for character creation with the newly introduced cultures. The new rules for Journey and Shadow are also particularly nic [...]

In general Adventures in Middle Earth is quite good. I like the changes to classes, Races and Background and I think the rules for journeys and Fellowship phases are interesting and creatively done. However there are big mistakes made when it co [...]

I like it alot. It's pretty well written mechanics wise and is a great adaptation for 5E. However, there are some ambiguously worded text throughout. You can also tell where they changed the name to some Virtues (Feats) and forgot to change it in the [...]

This mighty tome is beautifully presented and provides just about all you need to start adventuring in Tolkien's Middle Earth. Of particular note is the way in which the authors are not afraid to tweak exisiting game rules and even invent entire new me [...]

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